MARBLES. 31 



The non-crystalline marbles occur in most of the limestone 

 formations of the state. Under this term we would include 

 those compact limestones which take a good polish and which 

 have an agreeable color and which can therefore be used for 

 ornamental purposes. Rock of this kind has been utilized from 

 the Cambrian formation, from the Trenton, from the Lower 

 Carboniferous, and from two horizons in the Tertiary, viz., at 

 the base in the Midway or Clayton division, and higher up in 

 the St. Stephens limestone. 



The Trenton and Cambrian limestones are often beautifully 

 variegated in similar manner to the Tennessee marble. Hand- 

 some blocks of this quality have been cut and polished from 

 near Calera, from Pratt's Ferry on the Cahaba River, and from 

 Jones Valley between Bucksville and Bessemer. 



No regular quarrying and working has been done except 

 at Pratt's Ferry, but much beautiful stone has been obtained at 

 that point. 



The Lower Carboniferous limestones are generally of a gray- 

 ish color, sometimes oolitic, sometimes packed with fossils 

 which make very pleasing variety in the color and shade in pol- 

 ishing. 



The Tertiary limestones, especially the St. Stephens, while 

 usually of open porous texture, hold ledges of hard, almost 

 crystalline rock capable of taking good polish. The colors 

 vary from nearly white through shades of yellowish into red, 

 and it would make a handsome decorative marble for inside 

 work especially. This rock occurs along the banks both of the 

 Tombigbee and the Alabama rivers, at Oven Bluff and St. Ste- 

 phens, and some intermediate points on the former, and from 

 Gainestown up to and above Marshall's Landing on the latter. 

 It will probably soon be used in cement making and 

 further acquaintance with its varieties, due to extensive work- 

 ing, will no doubt direct attention to those ledges of the forma- 

 tion which will make good marbles. 



The dolomites of the Knox horizon are also in part of suit- 

 able quality for ornamental work. The geological map of the 

 state will show the distribution of these rocks, which is very 

 extensive. The spots where they have been actually cut and 

 polished are few. 



